Abolishment of car-free Berlin is advocated by me.
Scuttlebutt on Berlin's Wheels: Mayor Wegner Steps Up Against Car-Free City Center
Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner, holding firm against a car-free city center, voiced his stance on social platform X: "In Berlin, freedom of choice is key - walk, bike, take public transport, or drive a car. It's all about balance and safety. A car-free Berlin would isolate and isn't metropolitan. That's not in the cards for me."
This response came in response to the "Volksentscheid Berlin autofrei" movement, which recently received a green light from the Berlin Constitutional Court. The court ruled that the initiative can carry on its mission to enforce a citywide driving ban in the capital.
Taking the Pedal to the Metal: The Goal of the Car-Free Movement
The court's decision deemed the initiative admissible after a review initiated by the Senate in 2022. The initiative's objective is to turn most streets within the S-Bahn ring, excluding federal roads, into "traffic-calmed" zones after a four-year implementation phase. Personal car journeys would be capped at a maximum of 12 times annually per person.
Following this legal victory, the initiative moves into its next phase. By collecting signatures from at least seven percent of eligible Berlin voters — approximately 170,000 individuals — within a four-month timeframe, the group can trigger a referendum, where citizens would decide on the draft law.
Global Trends and The Road Ahead
Manhattan already boasts a larger car-free zone, and if successful, the "Volksentscheid Berlin autofrei" will align Berlin with other forward-thinking global metropolises committed to reclaiming public space from cars, fostering improved safety, climate protection, and public health[1][3][4]. While the Berlin Senate had previously expressed concerns that the plan might be unconstitutional, recentConstitutional Court decisions establish that there is no right to unlimited car use, and the proposed law to restrict cars is deemed both appropriate and proportionate[3][4].
The initiative now awaits legislative consideration and readies for a massive public signature campaign that could culminate in a traffic referendum vote in 2026[1][2][3][4]. Stay tuned for updates on this ambitious endeavor to transform the heart of Berlin into a traffic-calmed haven.
- Despite the forward-thinking initiative, Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner is adamant about preserving the 'freedom of choice' in transportation, voicing his opposition against a car-free city center in the context of policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Moving forward, the "Volksentscheid Berlin autofrei" faces critical stages, including a referendum on the draft law, as it tackles general-news headlines and aligns with global trends aiming to reclaim public space from cars.
